Beneteau First 29 vs 2010 Elan 340 — Comparison
2010 Elan 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | 2010 Elan 340 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 2010–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 1,750 kg (3,858 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and 2010 Elan 340 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2010 Elan 340 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 2010 Elan 340 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the 2010 Elan 340 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 2010 Elan 340 is 1.46m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The 2010 Elan 340 displaces approximately 87% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 29 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of sail area. The 2010 Elan 340, with an SA/D of 17.31 and 55.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 29 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 2010 Elan 340 has a comfort ratio of 19.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 30.2% for the 2010 Elan 340, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 29 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The 2010 Elan 340 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 160L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2010 Elan 340 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Beneteau First 29 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2010 Elan 340 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 29 · 2010 Elan 340